Materials Performance

SEP 2018

Materials Performance is the world's most widely circulated magazine dedicated to corrosion prevention and control. MP provides information about the latest corrosion control technologies and practical applications for every industry and environment.

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 34 of 128

The Growth of NACE
and NACE International
NACE was established in 1943 by 11 corrosion
engineers from the pipeline industry as the "National
Association of Corrosion Engineers." The founding
engineers were originally part of a regional group formed
in the 1930s when the study of cathodic protection (CP)
was introduced.
Since then, NACE International has become the global
leader in developing corrosion prevention and control stan-
dards, certification and education, conferences, and publica-
tions. The members of NACE still include engineers, as well
as numerous other professionals working in a range of areas
related to corrosion control.
The Role of Regions, Areas, and Sections
The lifeblood of NACE is rooted in its sections and areas.
1
NACE members become exposed to corrosion technology,
engineering, and science through their involvement at the
local, national, and international levels. It is this corrosion
knowledge and networking that builds members' careers and
makes them so valuable to their companies and the industry.
NACE members emerge as leaders from their involvement in
these suborganizations of the association.
It was soon after NACE was officially incorporated under Texas law in 1945 as a not-for-profit techni-
cal association that its first section was formed, Originally called the Gulf Coast Section, the Houston
Section began contributing to the growth of NACE, which in 1946 included more than 800 members
throughout the United States. The South Central and Western Regions were established in 1946, fol-
lowed by the Southeast and North Central Regions in 1947. By the end of the 1940s, NACE had five
regions, 17 sections, and more than 1,700 members.
NACE also began broadening its scope during its formative years, expanding beyond a purely CP and
pipeline focus to include the oil and gas production, chemical processing, and refining industries, as well
as other methods of corrosion control such as protective coatings and linings, chemical treatment, and
materials selection and design. This, along with increasing public knowledge and concern about the
costly and damaging effects of corrosion, served to fuel impressive membership growth through the
years. NACE subsequently branched out even further, to industries that include maritime, water and
wastewater, highways and bridges, power, and more.
Milestones in the development and growth of sections and regions—renamed areas in the late
1990s—include the establishment of student sections in 1985. Based at universities and colleges, stu-
dent sections are sponsored by the existing NACE section and a NACE faculty member serving as faculty
advisor. Today there are 36 student sections around the world.
In 1996, there was a significant reorganization of the NACE Board that reduced the size of its mem-
bership to streamline operations and represent the areas and major activities of the association through
their committee directors. At that time, the four international area directors collectively had one vote on
the Board, which rotated among the areas each year. In 2009, due to the rapid growth in NACE member-
ship worldwide, the Board unanimously voted to grant each of the international areas its own vote.
The NACE International areas are as follows:
North America
• Central Area
• Eastern Area
• Northern Area
• Western Area
International
• East Asia & Pacific Area
• European Area
• Latin American Area
• West Asia & African Area
W W W.MATERIALSPERFORMANCE.COM
NACE
Areas
&
Sections
SEPTEMBER 2018 A14